Water ski rope retrieving apparatus



March 19, 1963 J. B. SKLENAR 3,031,733

WATER SKI ROPE RETRIEVING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. JEROME B. SKLENAR aim Q W ATTO RN EY United States Patent 3,081,733 WATER SKI ROPE RETRIEVING APPARATUS Jerome B. Sklenar, 6540 Johnson Ave., Long Beach, Calif. Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 186,191 9 Claims. (Cl. 114235) The present invention relates generally to the field of water skiing equipment, and more particularly to an apparatus for use in combination with a boat for retrieving a line or rope extending rearwardly from the boat. The present application is a continuation-in-part of my pending patent application Serial No. 815,344 filed May 25, 1959, entitled Rope Retrieving Apparatus, and which will issue April 10, 1962 as Patent No. 3,028,829.

As is well known in the art of water skiing, a skier is towed behind a power boat by a relatively long line or rope extending rearwardly therefrom. In this sport it is common for two persons to ride in the power boat, one of which steers and controls the movement of the boat, with the other handling the skiers line. When the skier is upset, falls, or for any reason releases his tow rope, it must be retrieved, usually by the second person in the tow boat. Generally, the tow rope is merely aflixed to the stern of the boat, and the retriever thereof must haul it in by hand, and if necessary, pay it out by hand when another run is begun.

On many occasions two persons may desire to engage in water skiing simultaneously, but obviously this has been impossible in the past due to the fact that the presence of two persons is required in the tow boat. In my pending patent application Serial No. 815,344, a rope retrieving apparatus has been disclosed and claimed that may be mounted on the stern of a boat which is operated by the person steering and controlling the movement of the boat through the water. However, one disadvantage of this prior apparatus is that it requires a substantial amount of movement of the control apparatus to place the retrieving equipment in either an operative or inoperative position.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved tow rope retrieving apparatus that may be used in combination with a power boat by a single operator to retrieve a line or rope extending rearwardly from the boat.

Another object of the invention is to supply a tow rope retrieving apparatus which utilizes the forward motion of the boat through a body of water as a source of power for pulling a line or rope towards the boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tow rope retrieving apparatus of simple mechanical structure which can be easily and quickly mounted on or removed from the stern portion of a boat, by means of which a rope extending rearwardly from the boat may be efficiently retrieved, and one that is simple and rugged in construction and well able to withstand the effects of the weather and harsh treatment to which it may be subjected when mounted on a power boat.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawing illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention mounted on a power boat that is guided and controlled by a single operator;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken on line 2--2 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a first alternate form of the invention; and,

Fatented Mar. 19, 1963 FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second alternate form of the apparatus.

With continued reference to the drawing for the general arrangement of the first form of the invention, it will be seen that an inboard motorboat A has the invention referred to generally by the letter B attached to the transom C thereof. An operator D can not only steer the boat by conventional steering mechanism E forming a part thereof, but in so doing may control the operation of the apparatus B by a lever F or other control means which is located within reach while steering and controlling the boat.

The retrieving apparatus, as may best be seen in FIG- URES 1, 2 and 3, includes a first bracket 10 and a second bracket 12 that is laterally spaced therefrom, which are affixed to the transom C of the tow boat A and disposed a substantial distance above the water line thereof. An elongate reel 14- is provided, from the ends of which shafts (16 project that are journaled in bearings 18 supported from the first and second brackets Ill and 12.

A third bracket 20 is attached to the transom C, with the lower edge thereof preferably being substantially flush with the under surface 22 of the bottom 24 of the boat A. The first bracket 1t} (FIGURES 2 and 3) in-.

cludes a plate 26 that is affixed to the transom C by a bolt 28, or the like. Bracket 10 also includes two parallel, laterally spaced arms 3% which extend rearwardly from the plate 26 and are preferably formed from a rigid sheet material that is impervious to the effects of fresh water and salt water.

A curved shield 32 is provided that has a forward portion 34" that extends downwardly between the arms 30 and is welded or otherwise suitably bonded thereto. The shield portion 32 develops into a convex portion 36 that is rigidly affixed to curved upper edges of the arms 30, with the rear extremity of this convex portion 36 developing into an upwardly and rearwardly-extending section 38, the function of which will be hereinafter explained.

The rear portions 40 of arms 30 are of somewhat greater depth than the forwardly disposed portions 42 thereof. Horizontally aligned slots 43 are formed in portions 40, which slots extend downwardly and forwardly as best shown in FIGURE 2. The slots 4-3 slidably sup port a transversely disposed pin 44, the end portions of which are slidably movable in the slots 43 with the pin 44 being affixed to the forward upper extremity 46 of an L-shaped tubular water discharge member, identified generally by the letter G.

The water discharge member G, illustrated in FIG- URE 2, comprises an upwardly extending first leg 48, the lower end of which develops into a second leg 50 that preferably occupies a slight downwardly-angled position relative to the under surface 22 of bottom 24. A water inlet opening 52 is formed in the forward end of leg 50 that is preferably of maximum transverse cross section and from which a tapered bore 54 extends through the water discharge member G to terminate in a water discharge outlet 56. The smallest transverse cross section of bore 54 is in communication with outlet 56.

The third bracket 20 is defined by two parallel laterally spaced arms 53 that extend rearwardly from a plate or I plates as that are afiixed to the transom C (FIGURE 1) by bolts, screws or other fastening means 62 Two horizontally aligned, upwardly extending slots 64 are formed in arms '58. A transversely positioned pin 66 is provided, the end portions of which are slidably mounted in slots 64, with portions of the pin intermediate the end portions thereof being rigidly affixed to the upper forward portion of leg 50 by a lug or lugs 68 which project upwardly therefrom.

A rotor 70 is provided, as may best be seen in FIG- URE 2, which is rigidly afiixed to an end portion of the reel 14 extending between the arms 30 of the first bracket 10. Rotor 70 defines a number of circumferent-ially spaced, radially extending faces '72 against which a jet of water discharging from the outlet 56 can impinge to rotate the rotor 70 and reel 14 attached thereto.

Should it be desired, a rotor 74 as shown in FIGURE can be used in lieu of rotor 70. The rotor 74 includes a number of circumferentially spaced, radially positioned blades 76 that project outwardly from a reel 78. The reels 7% and 14 are of substantially the same structure. The lever F is preferably connected to a drum 80 that is rotatably supported by conventional means (not shown) at a position adjacent the steering means E. A flexible cable or cord 82 is wrapped around drum 80 a sufficient number of times to frictionally grip the same.

Two portions 84 and 86 of cable 82 extend rearwardly from drum 80 to pass through first and second guides .87 and 88 and proceed downwardly through a third guide 90 afiixed to transom C. Guides 87, 88 and 90 may be staples or the like. Cable portion 84 is afiixed to the upper part of the water discharge member G (FIGURE 2) and cable portion 86 to the lower portion thereof. When the lever F is manipulated by the operator D, either one of the cable portions 84 or 86 is wound thereon, and the other portion unwound therefrom. In this manner cable portion 86 can be partially wound on drum so to raise the discharge member G from the first position shown in FIGURE 2 to the second position shown in phantom line in the same figure where the invention is inoperative.

When the lever F is manipulated in an opposite direction, the cable portion 84 tends to be wound on drum 89 and the cable portion 86 unwound therefrom, with the discharge member G then being moved downwardly from the second position shown in phantom line to either the first position or a third position intermediate the first and second positions. The rotor 7% is actuated when discharge member G is in either the first position shown in her .6 is raised to the second position by use of the lever F, the rotor 70 is not driven whereby the tow rope H can be pulled outwardly a desired length relative to the boat A by rotation of the reel 14.

A first alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 4 thatis identical to the form above described other than that the rotor 76 is rotatably supported from the first bracket by a shaft 92 that is laterally spaced from the axis of rotation 94 of the reel 14. The shaft '92 is provided with a rotatable driving member 96 that drivinglyengages a drivenmember 98 affixed to reel 1-4, as shown in FIGURE 4. Driving member 96 is preferably of smaller diameter than the driven member'98 in order Of course, if desired, these members could be grooved pulleys which are connected by a taut endless belt (not shown) a The form of the invention shown in FIGURE 5 is disclosed and claimed in co-pending application Serial No. 815,344. The'reel 74 of this form of the device may be rotatably supported between'first and second brackets 10 and 12 in the same manner as reel 14.

An enclosed housing 41 is rotatably supported on one end of reel 73 and envelopes the rotor '74.

which water can fiow due to forward motion of the boat Housing 41 v is provided with a tangential tubular portion 45 through on which the device is mounted when the portion 45 is in a first position shown in solid line in FIGURE 3. Water flowing into housing 41 can discharge through a port 41alocated at any desired position therein. When the housing 41 is pivoted to a second position shown in phantom line in FIGURE 5 by a control mechanism I, the device ceases to operate.

The operation of the present invention has been described in detail hereinabove and need not be repeated.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus adapted to be used by only one operator in retrieving a water skiers tow rope while concurrently guiding a power-driven boat through water in which it floats, comprising:

(a) an elongate reel situated rearwardly of said boat, transversely disposed relative thereto above the water line thereof;

(b) first and second transversely spaced brackets which rotatably support said reel from the rear portion of said boat;

(c) a rotor that defines a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending faces, said rotor connected to said reel and rotating said reel when said rotor is rotated;

(d) a third bracket aflixed to the rear portion of said boat with a portion thereof extending upwardly above the bottom thereof;

(e) a tubular discharge member having a first end portion and a second end portion;

(f) first means for movably supporting said second end portion from said first bracket;

g) second means for movably supporting said first end portion from said third bracket, with said second means permitting said tubular discharge member to be moved to a first position where said first end portion is disposed below said bottom of said boat, to a second position where said first end portion is disposed completely above said bottom and rearwardly of the stern of said boat, and a third position where said first end portion is partially below said bottom and partially situated rearwardly of said stern of said boat;

(h) a ski-rope aifixed to said reel and windable there on; and

(i) third means operable by said operator to move said discharge member to said first, second or third positions as said boat moves forwardly through said water, with said discharge member when in said first and third positions permitting water to flow upwardly through said discharge member to impinge on said faces to rotate said rotor and reel, with said rotor and reel ceasing to rotate when said openator moves said discharge member to said second position.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular discharge member is of generally L- shaped configuration and has an interior bore formed therein that is ofmaximum transverse cross section at the entry into said first end portion and is of minimum transverse cross section at said second end portion.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said bore in said tubular dischargemember decreases gradually in transverse cross section from said maximum transverse cross section at said first end portion to saidminimum end portion, with said pin being slidably movable in a slot formed in said first bracket.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said second means is a pin aflixed to said first end portion of said discharge member, with said pin being slidably movable in an upwardly extending slot formed in said third bracket.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 which further includes a curved rearwardly extending shield that is affixed to said first bracket and extends around the upper portion of said rotor to prevent inadvertent contact with said rotor by said operator when said reel is being rotated during the time said discharge member is in said first or third position.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 2. which in addition includes transmission means for connecting said rotor to said reel, said transmission means causing said reel to 15 rotate at a speed other than that at which said rotor rotates.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said shield includes a rearwardly extending portion that divert-s water rearwardly from said rotor after it has impinged thereon after delivery thereto through said second end portion of said discharge member.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which said transmission means includes a rotatable driving member that is rotated by said rotor, and a rotatable driven member connected to said reel, said driving and driven members being in driving engagement.

No references cited. 

1. AN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE USED BY ONLY ONE OPERATOR IN RETRIEVING A WATER SKIER''S TOW ROPE WHILE CONCURRENTLY GUIDING A POWER-DRIVEN BOAT THROUGH WATER IN WHICH IT FLOATS, COMPRISING: (A) AN ELONGATE REEL SITUATED REARWARDLY OF SAID BOAT, TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED RELATIVE THERETO ABOVE THE WATER LINE THEREOF; (B) FIRST AND SECOND TRANSVERSELY SPACED BRACKETS WHICH ROTATABLY SUPPORT SAID REEL FROM THE REAR PORTION OF SAID BOAT; (C) A ROTOR THAT DEFINES A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED, RADIALLY EXTENDING FACES, SAID ROTOR CONNECTED TO SAID REEL AND ROTATING SAID REEL WHEN SAID ROTOR IS ROTATED; (D) A THIRD BRACKET AFFIXED TO THE REAR PORTION OF SAID BOAT WITH A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING UPWARDLY ABOVE THE BOTTOM THEREOF; (E) A TUBULAR DISCHARGE MEMBER HAVING A FIRST END PORTION AND A SECOND END PORTION; (F) FIRST MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID SECOND END PORTION FROM SAID FIRST BRACKET; (G) SECOND MEANS FOR MOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID FIRST END PORTION FROM SAID THIRD BRACKET, WITH SAID SECOND MEANS PERMITTING SAID TUBULAR DISCHARGE MEMBER TO BE MOVED TO A FIRST POSITION WHERE SAID FIRST END PORTION IS DISPOSED BELOW SAID BOTTOM OF SAID BOAT, TO A SECOND POSITION WHERE SAID FIRST END PORTION IS DISPOSED COMPLETELY ABOVE SAID BOTTOM AND REARWARDLY OF THE STERN OF SAID BOAT, AND A THIRD POSITION WHERE SAID FIRST END PORTION IS PARTIALLY BELOW SAID BOTTOM AND PARTIALLY SITUATED REARWARDLY OF SAID STERN OF SAID BOAT; (H) A SKI ROPE AFFIXED TO SAID REEL AND WINDABLE THEREON; AND (I) THIRD MEANS OPERABLE BY SAID OPERATOR TO MOVE SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER TO SAID FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD POSITIONS AS SAID BOAT MOVES FORWARDLY THROUGH SAID WATER, WITH SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER WHEN IN SAID FIRST AND THIRD POSITIONS PERMITTING WATER TO FLOW UPWARDLY THROUGH SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER TO IMPINGE ON SAID FACES TO ROTATE SAID ROTOR AND REEL, WITH SAID ROTOR AND REEL CEASING TO ROTATE WHEN SAID OPERATOR MOVES SAID DISCHARGE MEMBER TO SAID SECOND POSITION. 